No Tach with Balmar

[bmm32005]

Boat just launched and I started it up today and I have no tachometer. I have a Balmar with the MC 614 regulator. I looked it all over and it is all connected as usual and fuses were all fine. Its a Westerbeke 38B4. Nothing was disconnected except the batteries over the Winter.

[cwyckham]

I think the 614 has a separate tach output. Are you using that to your tach?

Is the alternator putting current into the batteries?

[bmm32005]

No current was going into batteries


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[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by bmm32005

No current was going into batteries


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I don't think the Balmars show anything on the tach unless the field is hot. If there's no current going in, then you'll get zero on the tach (often get a zero on start-up due to delayed cut-in).

Try turning on some good current hogs like lights and fridges to get the alternator to kick in. Your tach should come to life.

[Blue Stocking]

12 or 14 pole alternator makes a difference to some of these regulators.

[monroe0]

my Balmer had a grey unlabelled rocker switch that needed to be switched up, then tach and charger worked. Mine was located by the battery monitor, I discovered its function by tracing wires from the regulator. The surveyor even missed this one.

Good luck.

[cabo_sailor]

On my boat with a high output alternator the tach won't work until I blip the throttle a time or two. In neutral of course. 😜

Won't have to do it again until I restart the engine.

Rich


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